Summary

This study will compare three standard treatment programs commonly offered to patients with
breast cancer. The three programs being compared are 1) Mindfulness Meditation-Based Stress
Reduction (MBSR), 2)Supportive- Expressive Group Therapy (SET), and 3) A one day
stress-management seminar. The purpose of this study is to determine if these three
treatments have different effects on psychological well-being, the immune system, and the
amount of stress hormones in the bloodstream.

Primary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes

Measure

emotional repression

time frame:

personality

time frame:

emotional suppression

time frame:

Eligibility Criteria

Female participants at least 18 years old.

Inclusion Criteria:
- Study participants must be women diagnosed with Stage I, II, or III breast cancer
within the previous 18 months, have completed all treatments with the exception of
hormonal therapy at least three months previously, over the age of 18, and have a
score of 13 or higher on the BSI-18. Previous meditation/yoga experience is allowed
but will be recorded.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Participants must not have a concurrent DSM-IV diagnosis of psychosis, substance
abuse, bipolar disorder, or active suicidality (as assessed by structured clinical
interview), must not be currently using psychotropic medications (antipsychotics,
antidepressants, anxiolytics), have a concurrent autoimmune disorder, or have
participated previously in MBSR or SET group.